Film cassette having loosely-retained, reversibly separable memory module, and photographic apparatus

ABSTRACT

A film cassette has a shell having a film space and a module slot external to the film space. A filmstrip is coiled within the film space. A memory module is loosely-retained in the module slot. The memory module is reversibly separable from the shell. A photographic apparatus includes the film cassette and a photographic device. The photographic device has a body having a cassette station defining a site for a locator of the film cassette; a film transport disposed in operative relation to the cassette station; and a terminal block disposed in the cassette station. The terminal block is biased toward the contact site. The terminal block includes a plurality of leads and a cam unit having at least one cam surface. The cam unit is aligned with the site for the locator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to photography and more particularly relates to afilm cassette having a reversibly removable memory module and aphotographic apparatus including the cassette.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to better record ancillary information about captured images,some film cassettes have an internal electronic memory, which is writtento by a microprocessor in a camera. Good electrical contact must bemaintained in the camera between a series of fixed contacts on thememory and a series of leads in the camera. To reduce overall camera andfilm cassette size, the parts involved are quite small. Misalignmenteasily occurs unless all parts are precisely made.

A very large number of cameras use Type 135 ("35 mm") film. Type 135film cassettes are defined by the standard: ANSI PH1.14M-1983promulgated by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. of NewYork, N.Y. This standard provides for a substantially cylindricalcassette shell having an exposed spool portion protruding from each endof the shell and a shell slot at each end around the exposed spoolportion. The slot is open-topped and roughly discoidal in shape havingan empty discoidal center to accommodate the spool portion.

Electronic memory could be mounted to a Type 135 film cassette, however,this is problematic. Film cassettes are not ordinarily returned whenType 135 film is processed. Information recorded in memory, but not usedin processing, would be lost if a cassette having electronic memory wasdiscarded. Returning the memory in an empty cassette shell would bepossible, but cumbersome. Replacement memory could be provided in someform, but this would be costly or cumbersome or both.

It would thus be desirable to provide an improved apparatus and filmcassette, in which the film cassette has electronic memory that iseasily removable and replaceable and easy to access while in thecassette.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims. The invention, in its broaderaspects, provides a film cassette has a shell having a film space and amodule slot external to the film space. A filmstrip is coiled within thefilm space. A memory module is loosely-retained in the module slot. Thememory module is reversibly separable from the shell. A photographicapparatus includes the film cassette and a photographic device. Thephotographic device has a body having a cassette station defining a sitefor a locator of the film cassette; a film transport disposed inoperative relation to the cassette station; and a terminal blockdisposed in the cassette station. The terminal block is biased towardthe contact site. The terminal block includes a plurality of leads and acam unit having at least one cam surface. The cam unit is aligned withthe site for the locator.

It is an advantageous effect of at least some of the embodiments of theinvention that an improved apparatus and film cassette, in which thefilm cassette has electronic memory that is easily removable andreplaceable and easy to access while in the cassette.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is top perspective view of an embodiment of the memory module.The struts are shown unflexed with solid lines and flexed with dashedlines.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the memory unit of the memory moduleof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the memory module of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective of an embodiment of the film cassette, includingthe memory module of FIG. 1. The location of the access site isindicated diagrammatically by a dashed line.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the film cassette of FIG. 4taken substantially along line A--A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a photographic apparatus including thefilm cassette of FIG. 4. A controller (shown in dashed lines) and signalpaths are illustrated diagrammatically.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the film cassette and terminal block ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the module reader. The position of partsof the terminal block within the body of the reader is indicated bydashed lines.

FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the reader of FIG. 8.The memory module of FIG. 1 is loaded in the module socket of thereader.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the reader and module ofFIG. 9. The controller of the reader and signal paths are illustrateddiagrammatically.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the memorymodule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-7 and 11, a film cassette 10 has a memorymodule 12 that floats within a slot 11 formed by the shell 14 of thecassette 10. The memory module 12 has a locator 16 and defines a moduleaxis 15.

A photographic apparatus 18 receives the film cassette 10 in a cassettestation 20. The cassette station 20 includes a terminal block 22 thathas a cam unit 24. When the film cassette 10 is loaded in the cassettestation 20, the locator 16 and cam unit 24 are in engagement, and thememory module 12 is held in place relative to the photographic apparatus18 and the cassette shell 14.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 4-5, a filmstrip 26 is coiled withinthe shell 14. The film cassette 10 is illustrated as being a slightlymodified Type 135 film cassette. The film cassette 10 is not limited toany particular configuration. For example, the film cassette 10 can be atwo chambered cassette, similar to a Type 110 film cassette.

The shell 14 has a side wall 28, to which end caps 30,31 are mounted ateither end. The module slot 11 is defined by end cap 30. It is notcritical which end of the cassette 10 includes slotted end cap 30, butin practice the selected end would be standardized. Alternatively, bothends of the cassette 10 can include a slotted end cap 30. The filmcassette 10 light-tightly holds the filmstrip 26 in a film space 32,coiled about a cassette spool 34. The cassette spool 34 and the coiledfilmstrip 26 each define a cassette axis 36 about which the spool 34 isfree to rotate.

The module slot 11 is separate from and external to the film space 32and not light-tight. The shell 14 is preferably open over the end cap30, but can have an end wall (not illustrated) over the slot 11, if theend wall does not hinder access to the module 12 for memory usage andfor removal.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 1-3 and 11, the memory module 12 hasroughly the shape of a disk or lozenge with a hollow central passage 38centered on module axis 15. The memory module 12 has outer and inneredges 42,44 and opposed upper and lower surfaces 46,48. (Direction termssuch as "upper" and "lower" are used herein solely as relative terms anddo not connote absolute orientations.) For convenience, the memorymodule 12 is generally described herein in terms of a disk-shape likethat of a flat washer. It will be understood that like considerationsapply to modules of other shapes, such as the module illustrated in FIG.11.

The memory module 12 has a support 50 and a memory unit 52 mounted onthe support 50. The memory unit 52 has one or more electronic components(not separately illustrated), which are directly mounted to one or bothsurfaces of the support 50 or are mounted to a miniature circuit board(not separately illustrated, which is itself mounted to the support 50.The memory unit 52 includes an array of electrical contacts 54 that faceoutward from the upper surface 46. In the embodiment shown in thefigures, the memory unit 52 is an integrated circuit element, which ismounted to a window 55 in the support 50 such that the electricalcontacts 54 are exposed on the upper surface 46 of the module 12. At theupper surface 46, the contacts 54 are generally coplanar with thesupport 50. The integrated circuit element is embedded in plasticpotting or the like which provides a smooth pad 57 to ensure that thelower surface 48 does not bind against the end cap 30.

The locator 16 of the memory module 12 includes one or more locatingsurfaces 58. In the memory modules 12 shown in the figures, the locator16 has a pair of opposed subunits 59. Each subunit 59 has an opening 60.The margins of the openings 60 form the locating surfaces 58. One of thelocating surfaces 58a is oval in shape; the other locating surface 58bis circular.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 1-5 and 11, the memory module 12 isloosely-retained in the module slot 11 by the end cap 30. The memorymodule 12 is repeatedly removable and replaceable in a shell 14 orseries of shells without damage to the memory module 12 and, preferably,without damage to the shell or shells 14.

The memory module 12 is held within the module slot 11 by interferencefeatures of the shell 14 and memory module 12. The interference featuresallow relatively free motion of the module 12 in a plane (indicated bydashed arrows x-y in FIG. 4) perpendicular to the cassette axis 36. Thememory module 12 can pivot and translate in a plane perpendicular to thecassette axis 36 within the bounds of the slot 11. Axial movement of themodule 12 and rotational movement out of that plane is closely limited.(Terms used herein that refer to an axis, such as "axial" and "radial"do not recite a specific axis where the context indicates the relevantaxis or where the indicated directions coincide. For example, the moduleaxis 15 and cassette axis 36 are parallel or coincident when the module12 is loaded in the module slot 11.)

In preferred embodiments, the end cap 30 of the shell 14 has a collar 64that protrudes radially inward from the side wall 28 and the memorymodule 12 has a retainer 66 that protrudes radially outward at the outeredge 42 of the module 12. The collar 64 is positioned so as to limit theaxial dimension of the module slot 11 to no more clearance than isnecessary to allow the memory module 12 to move within the slot 11. Thecollar 64 and retainer 66 can each be continuous or segmented, withadjoining segments separated by 180 degrees or less. The collar 64borders and defines an entry 68 for the admission of the memory module12 into the slot 11. The memory module 12 and shell 14 can both berigid. In this case, the interference fit can be provided, by an axialoverlap of parts achieved by insertion and rotation of the memory module12 relative to the shell 14. The memory module 12 and shell 14 can,alternatively provide a snap fit, in which the module 12, shell 14, orboth flex to allow installation and removal of the module 12. It iscurrently preferred that the shell 14 is rigid and the support 50 of themodule 12 flexible, for reasons of ease of manufacture and use and tobetter protect the enclosed filmstrip 26. When flexed, one or more partsof the support 50 deflect toward the module axis 15, reducing a radialcross-section of the module 12. The entry 68 of the module slot 11 has aradial cross-section that is greater than the radial cross-section ofthe flexed memory module 12 and is less than the radial cross-section ofthe memory module 12 when the memory module 12 is not flexed.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the support 50 is made of aslightly flexible sheet material and has a central hub portion 70 and aslightly thicker outer portion 72. The outer portion 72 has a pair ofcut-outs 74 which locally increase flexibility. The cut-outs 74 reducepart of the outer portion 72 to a pair of narrow struts 75 that borderand are radially exterior to the cut-outs 74. The module 12 is flexed byapplying a radial force or forces (indicated by arrows 73) against themodule 12 at the struts 75. When the module 12 is flexed, the narrowstruts 75 bend (as shown in FIG. 1) reducing the radial cross-section ofthe module 12. The cut-outs 74 allow the thickness of the remainder ofthe support 50 to be relatively thicker so as to better hold the memoryunit 52, without an overall loss of needed flexibility.

The retainer 66 of the support 50 has three equally separated segments76 (best shown in FIG. 3) that protrude from the outer edge 42 of thesupport 50. Referring particularly to FIG. 5, each segment 76 has anaxial dimension that is less than the axial dimension of an uppersection 77 of the outer edge 42. The collar 64 is continuous around theend cap 30 and has the form of an inwardly directed brim. Below thecollar 64, the end cap 30 extends radially outward and forms a circulartrough 78 that abuts the inside of the wall 28 of the shell 14. The endcap 30 then turns back inward, that is, from an axial direction to aradial direction, toward the spool 34 forming a radial wall 80. The endcap 30 recurves beyond the collar 64 and extends axially along theoutside of the side wall 28. When the module 12 is in the slot 11, theupper section 77 is axially aligned with and radially inward from thecollar 64 and the retainer 66 is radially aligned with and axiallyinward from the collar 64. The area of contact between the collar 64 andthe upper section and between the trough and the retainer 66, can bevaried. It is preferred that the collar 64 and trough have closely thesame axial dimensions as the upper section and retainer 66,respectively. It is also preferred that the collar 64 and trough haveradial dimensions that are closely similar to the radial dimensions ofthe upper section and retainer 66, respectively.

The rotational movement or rotational and translational movement of thememory module 12 in the radial plane, within the slot, is preferablylimited by bumpers 82,84 formed in the support 50 of the memory module12 and the end cap 30 of the shell 14, respectively. The bumpers 82,84are complementary in shape. The bumpers 82,84 are each disposed inrotationally non-symmetrical relation to the cassette axis 36, that is,each bumper 82 or 84 is not rotationally symmetrical about therespective cassette axis 36 or module axis 15. The bumpers 82,84 looselycouple the module 12 against rotation within the module slot 11; thatis, the bumpers 82,84 allow the memory module 12 to rotate freely over alimited range within the module slot 11, but interfere with each otherso as to block rotation beyond that limited range. In the embodimentshown in the figures, one bumper 82 is a peak or post that protrudesaxially outward from the outer portion 72 of the end cap 30 into themodule slot 11 and the other bumper 84 is the inner edge of a circularhole in the support 50. The peak and hole can alternatively be providedon the memory module 12 and end cap 30, respectively. The bumpers 82,84can also have other shapes. For example, the memory module 12 can beshaped like a disk truncated at a chord that acts as a bumper 84. Thebumper 82 of the end cap 30 is a section of wall 28 corresponding to thechord. The bumpers shown in FIG. 1-10 are preferred for use with ashaped metal end cap, since bumper 82 can be easily shaped at the sametime as the rest of the end cap 30. More complexly shaped bumpers,requiring additional shaping steps are not preferred.

The bumpers 82,84 are positioned to limit the range of motion of thememory module 12 in the radial plane such that the locating surfaces 58of the locator 16 remain, at all times, in at least partial axialalignment with a predetermined access site 61 defined by the shell 14 ofthe cassette. Looking at FIG. 4, the shell 14 has a film exit 88 thathas a predetermined, fixed spatial relationship to the access site(indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 4 by a dashed line). This ensuresthat the cam unit 24 (discussed in detail below) encounters the locatingsurfaces 58 when the cam unit 24 meets the locator 16.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 6-7, the apparatus 18 has the cassette10, including the memory module 12, and a photographic device 90. Theillustrated photographic device 90 is a camera, but the photographicdevice 90 is not limited to cameras. For example, the filmstrip 26 inthe cassette 10 can be processed film and the photographic device 90 canbe a digital scanner or display device. The device 90 has a body 92 thatincludes the cassette station 20 and terminal block 22. The cassettestation 20 is configured to receive the film cassette 10 in apredetermined, fixed orientation. A film transport 93 (illustrated inFIG. 6 by sprocket teeth) is positioned in the body 92 so as to move thefilmstrip 26 into or both into and out of the shell 14. The filmcassette 10 has a fixed rotational position within the station 20 withinnarrow tolerances. The film cassette 10 is preferably axially loaded inthe station 20.

The terminal block 22 is mounted in the body 92 at an end of the station20. The terminal block 22 has an array of leads 94, the cam unit 24, anda support structure 96. In the embodiment shown in the figures, theleads 94 are parallel spaced apart pins that are urged by individualsprings 98 (illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 6) in the directionindicated by arrow "Z". The leads 94 are conductive and are spaced toelectrically contact individual contacts 54 of the memory module 12.

The cam unit 24 has a pair of opposed cams 100 that are aligned with theleads 94. The cams 100 are individually spring biased in the direction"Z" by springs 102. The cams 100 are preferably non-conductive. The cams100 each have a conical cam surface 104. In the embodiment shown in thefigures, the cam surfaces 104 each have the shape of a regular circularcone.

When loaded, the axis 36 of the film cassette 10 is coextensive with anaxis 106 of the station 20. The access site is predetermined andstandardized for the cassette 10. Thus, when the cassette 10 is loadedin the station 20, a corresponding access site in the station 20 is alsodefined. The terminal block 22 is mounted in the body 88 in the cassettestation 20 in alignment with the access site. The springs 98,102 biasthe leads 94 and cam unit 24 toward engagement with the memory module12.

In use, the film cassette 10 is loaded into the cassette station 20 andassumes the predetermined cassette orientation. The locator 16 and camunit 24 are moved relative to each other until the locating surfaces 58and cam surfaces 104 touch. Further relative movement causes the memorymodule 12 to pivot within the module slot 11 until the cams 100 arecentered as to the respective locating surfaces 58. The acceptable rangeof motion of the module 12 within the slot 11 is determined by thecapability of the cam unit 24 to orient the module during engagement ofthe locating surfaces 58 and cam unit 24 such that each of the leads 94is biased against a corresponding contact 54 and none of the leads 94bridge two contacts 54.

When fully seated by the biasing of the springs 98,102, the terminallock 22 is registered with the memory module 12 and the leads 94 andcontacts 54 are held together, in alignment. Further rotation of thememory module 12 is arrested, until the film cassette 10 is removed fromthe device 18. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the cam surfaces104 are conical and the locating surfaces 58 are the margins ofopenings. Other shapes can be provided for these surfaces as long as thecombination of cam surfaces 104 and locating surfaces 58 would result inthe described reorientation of the memory module 12 in the module slot11.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, a memory module reader 105 allows use ofthe memory module 12 when detached from a cassette 10. The reader 105has a body 106 that has a module socket 108 having a circumferentialwall 110. The module socket 108 defines a cylindrical socket site 112and a socket axis 114. A terminal block 22 having the same features asthe terminal block 22 previously described, is joined to the body 106.The cam unit 24 of the terminal block 22 is aligned with the socket site112. The springs 98,102 bias the cam unit 24 and leads 94, respectively,toward the socket site 112. The reader 105 can have a bumper 82complementary to a memory module bumper 84, as previously described forthe cassette shell 14; but such a reader bumper is optional, sincerotation of the memory module 12 within the reader 105 after alignment,is deterred by the cam unit 24 of the terminal block 22.

The module socket 108 has a collar 64 that extends radially inward fromthe circumferential wall 110 in the same manner as the collar 64previously described. The collar 64 borders and defines an opening forthe admission of the memory module 12 into the socket site 112. Belowthe collar 64, the socket 108 is sized to receive the retainer 66 andpermit rotation of the module 12.

When the memory module 12 is loaded into the socket 108 the memorymodule 12 is flexed, inserted past the collar 64, and then released. Theunflexed memory module 12 fits loosely within the circumferential wall110 of the module socket 108. The leads 94 and cams 100 impinge againstthe upper surface 46 of the memory module 12 and bias the memory module12 against the collar 64. (In FIG. 9, the upper surface 46 faces thebottom of the drawing.) The biasing by the springs 98,102 is easilyovercome, allowing manual or automatic rotation of the memory module 12within the socket site 112. Rotation is needed to bring the locator 16and cam unit 24 into alignment, unless the memory module 12 wasinitially loaded in an aligned position. Once the memory module 12 andterminal block 22 are aligned within the socket site 112, the cams 100engage the locating surfaces 58, and the leads 94 engage correspondingcontacts 54 of the memory module 12. Further rotation of the memorymodule 12 is deterred by the engagement of the locator 16 and cam unit24.

In both the apparatus 18 and reader 105, the leads 94 are operativelyconnected by signal paths 116 to a controller 118 which allows thememory of the memory module 12 to be accessed for reading or writing orboth. Suitable hardware and controllers are well known to those of skillin the art. For example, the leads can be hard wired to a programmablecomputer or can be connected by wireless interface or can be remotelyconnected through a network.

The memory module 12 can be used to store a variety of information. Forexample, the memory module 12 can store photofinishing information oruser recorded information about individual exposures. The memory module12 can be installed on film cassette 10 at the time of manufacture or bya film dealer at the time of purchase or by an end-user. The memorymodule 12 can be retained on the film cassette 10 when the cassette issubmitted for photofinishing. The information in memory can be read outby the photofinisher with the memory module 12 retained on the cassetteshell 14 or the memory module 12 can be removed from the shell 14 priorto reading. The memory module 12 can be used once by a purchaser and canthen be recycled or disposed of after photofinishing. The memory module12 can alternatively, be returned to the purchaser with processed film.Since with Type 135 film the cassette is not returned, the memory module12 is separated from the cassette during photofinishing. The returnedmemory module 12 can be kept by the user to retain information recordedby the user or relating to photofinishing. The memory module 12 canalternatively, be installed by the user on a new film unit. For reuse,necessary memory must be cleared at photofinishing or later by the user.The reader 105 can be used to add, remove, or modify informationrecorded in the memory module 12 at any time the memory module 12 isdetached from a cartridge. For example, the reader 105 can be used towrite information to the memory module 12 prior to assembly of thememory module 12 into a cartridge and can be used by a user to read outinformation, such as sounds or lighting conditions, recorded at the timeof image capture.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A film cassette comprising:a shell having a filmspace and a module slot external to said film space; a filmstrip coiledwithin said film space, said filmstrip defining a cassette axis; amemory module loosely-retained in said module slot, said memory modulebeing reversibly separable from said shell; wherein said shell and saidmemory module each include a bumper, said bumpers being coplanar, saidbumpers limiting rotation of said memory module in a plane perpendicularto said cassette axis.
 2. The film cassette of claim 1 wherein saidfilmstrip defines a cassette axis and said memory module is closelybounded by said shell in an axial direction and loosely coupled againstrotation within said module slot.
 3. The film cassette of claim 1wherein one of said bumpers is a post and the other of said bumpers is acavity.
 4. The film cassette of claim 3 wherein said post is an integralpart of said shell.
 5. A film cassette comprising:a shell having a filmspace and a module slot external to said film space; a filmstrip coiledwithin said film space; a memory module loosely-retained in said moduleslot, said memory module being reversibly separable from said shell;wherein said shell has a circumferential wall and first and secondopposed end caps affixed to said wall, said first end cap defining saidmodule slot and wherein said first end cap and said memory module eachinclude a bumper, said bumpers being coplanar, said bumpers limitingrotation of said memory module in a plane perpendicular to said cassetteaxis.
 6. The film cassette of claim 5 wherein one of said bumpers is apost and the other of said bumpers is a cavity.
 7. The film cassette ofclaim 6 wherein said post is an integral part of said shell.
 8. A filmcassette comprising:a shell having a film space and a module slotexternal to said film space; a filmstrip coiled within said film space;a memory module loosely-retained in said module slot, said memory modulebeing reversibly separable from said shell; wherein said memory modulehas a locator and a plurality of contacts aligned with said locator. 9.The film cassette of claim 8 wherein said locator has a pair of opposedsubunits, each said subunit having a locating surface.
 10. The filmcassette of claim 9 wherein one of said locating surfaces has an ovalshape and the other of said surfaces has a circular shape.
 11. The filmcassette of claim 10 wherein said locating surfaces are margins of holesin respective said subunits.
 12. A film cassette, for use with aloosely-retained, reversibly separable memory module, said film cassettecomprising:a shell having a film space, a module slot external to saidfilm space, and a bumper protruding into said module slot; a filmstripcoiled within said film space.
 13. The film cassette of claim 12 whereinsaid shell has a wall and a pair of opposed end caps and said bumper isan integral part of one of said end caps.
 14. The film cassette of claim13 wherein said shell defines a cassette axis and said bumper isdisposed in rotationally non-symmetrical relation to said cassette axis.15. A photographic apparatus comprising:a photographic deviceincluding:a body having a cassette station; a film transport disposed inoperative relation to said cassette station; a terminal block disposedin said cassette station, said terminal block including a plurality ofleads and a cam unit; and a film cassette disposed in a fixedorientation in said cassette station, said film cassette including:ashell having a film space and a module slot external to said film space;a filmstrip coiled within said film space; a memory moduleloosely-retained, by said shell, in said module slot, said memory modulehaving an array of contacts aligned against respective said leads, saidmemory module being oriented, in said module slot, by said cam unit. 16.The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said cam unit includes a pair ofspaced apart cams, each said cam having a cam surface engaging saidmemory module.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said cams areresiliently biased toward said memory module.
 18. The apparatus of claim17 wherein said leads are resiliently biased toward said memory moduleindependent of said cams.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein saidcassette station defines a station axis and said memory module isarrested and rotationally oriented relative to said axis by said camunit.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said locator has a pair ofopposed subunits, each said subunit having a locating surface and saidcam surfaces engage respective said locating surfaces.
 21. The apparatusof claim 15 wherein said photographic device includes a film transportdisposed in operative relation to said cassette station; and said filmcassette includes a filmstrip coiled within said film space.
 22. A filmcassette comprising:a shell having a film space and a module slot, saidshell defining an access site; a filmstrip coiled within said film spaceabout an axis; a memory module having a locator, said memory modulebeing loosely-retained in said module slot wherein said locator is atleast partially rotationally aligned with said access site, relative tosaid axis.
 23. The film cassette of claim 22 wherein said shell and saidmemory module each include a bumper, said bumpers being coplanar, saidbumpers limiting rotation of said memory module in a plane perpendicularto said axis.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said memory moduleis loosely coupled against rotation within said module slot.
 25. A filmcassette comprising:a shell having a film space and a module slotexternal to said film space; a filmstrip coiled within said film space,said filmstrip defining an axis; and a memory module loosely-retained insaid module slot, said shell and said memory module having bumpersblocking said memory module from full rotation about said axis.
 26. Thefilm cassette of claim 25 wherein said bumpers are bumpers formed insaid shell and memory module.
 27. The film cassette of claim 26 whereinsaid bumpers are each disposed in rotationally non-symmetrical relationto said axis.
 28. A film cassette comprising:a shell having a film spaceand a module slot external to said film space; a spool disposed in saidshell; a filmstrip coiled about said spool within said film space; and amemory module disposed in said module slot, said memory module having ahollow central opening for said spool.
 29. The film cassette of claim 28wherein said memory module has a support and a memory unit mounted onsaid support, said support having a pair of bendable struts.
 30. Thefilm cassette of claim 29 wherein said module slot has an entry having aradial cross-section greater than a radial cross-section of said memorymodule in a flexed condition and less than a radial cross-section ofsaid memory module in an unflexed condition.
 31. A photographicapparatus comprising:a photographic device including:a body having acassette station; a film transport disposed in operative relation tosaid cassette station; and a terminal block disposed in said cassettestation, said terminal block including a plurality of leads and a camunit having at least one cam surface; and a film cassette disposable ina fixed orientation in said cassette station, said film cassetteincluding:a shell having a film space and a module slot external to saidfilm space; a filmstrip coiled within said film space; a memory moduleloosely-retained in said module slot, said memory module having alocator and an array of contacts, said locator having at least onelocating surface engageable by said cam surface to orient said memorymodule in said module slot with said leads and contacts in alignment.